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89 Robert Parker
Tasted at the château, the 1996 Rieussec has a lucid golden color. The nose is quite mature with burnt toffee, mandarin and barley sugar scents, quite perfumed and intense, although I suggest lacking the class and precision of more recent vintages. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, viscous on the entry with acacia honey, red plums, a hint of marzipan and a dash of spice towards the finish. There is good body here, fine persistence, even if it lacks the finesse of more recent vintages.
89 Robert Parker
Tasted at the château, the 1996 Rieussec has a lucid golden color. The nose is quite mature with burnt toffee, mandarin and barley sugar scents, quite perfumed and intense, although I suggest lacking the class and precision of more recent vintages. The palate is well balanced with crisp acidity, viscous on the entry with acacia honey, red plums, a hint of marzipan and a dash of spice towards the finish. There is good body here, fine persistence, even if it lacks the finesse of more recent vintages.
Producer
Château Rieussec
Under the same ownership as Lafite-Rothschild, the Château Rieussec vineyard is one of the largest properties in Sauternes and Barsac. The 93-hectare estate stretches from the border of Fargues and Sauternes, neighboring the vines of rival Château d’Yquem. Since 1984, Rieussec has belonged to Domaines Barons de Rothschild. They have made large investments in the cellar, as well as in the vineyards. This increase in quality-conscious procedures, including grape selection has led to smaller production numbers - here a single vine produces about a glass of wine. Fermentation is carried out in new-oak barriques, made by their very own cooper. The resulting wines are consistently powerful but classically structured, showing the opulence of Sauternes in an age-worthy Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend. This First Growth estate is undoubtedly a reference-point for sweet wine producers around the world.